Ammunition Delinker for a Firearm

ABSTRACT

A delinker ( 150 ) for a firearm may feature a modular delinker shaft ( 152 ) such that individual components may be replaced when they fail, rather than replacing a whole shaft. Push rods ( 164 ) may be keyed to guides ( 162 ) to counter centrifugal, inertial, force. Lock rods ( 170 ) may be used to accomplish the keyed interaction. Firing bolts may also utilize the keyed construction.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/583,870, filed Nov. 9, 2017, and incorporates the same by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly relates to a delinker for use in a multiple barreled rotary firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The modern “mini-gun,” or M-134, can trace its origins to the original Gatling gun of the mid-nineteenth century. It is a machine gun which fires projectiles in an automatic fashion. In the process of firing these projectiles, the gun utilizes a plurality of barrels (usually six) which consecutively rotate in a circular circuit into a single position which allows for the firing of a projectile. Each barrel, then, is only used to fire one-sixth of the projectiles, spending the remaining time cooling in an air current caused by the rotation of the barrels. Over time, many improvements have been made to the original Gatling gun, resulting in the modern M-134. However, each variant of the M-134 has always featured the rotatable barrels which are the signature characteristic of this family of firearms.

Most modern firearms utilize cartridge ammunition. As cartridge is a simple structure, with a projectile, or bullet, nested over an explosive charge of propellant. The charge and projectile are held together by a casing, or head. This casing presents a rearward primer which, when crushed, ignites and this ignition travels to the charge, igniting it explosively and thereby providing the impetus for launching the projectile. Of note, these cartridges need to be efficiently fed into the mini-gun to achieve the rapid firing rate that is desired. To this end, cartridges are linked side-by-side into a belt which is fed into the mini-gun. The gun then receives the first cartridge round, pulls the belt further so that feed can be continuous along the length of the belt, and individually de-links each cartridge before seating it for firing. The mechanism that accomplishes this task is called the “delinker.”

The modern delinker usually is a shaft of one piece and uses a drive gear, proximate its middle, which advances the shaft in time with the rest of the weapon. In the middle is a feed sprocket which collects each cartridge in the ammunition belt and feeds it into the system, pulling the next cartridge in the belt with it. Push rods then serve to disengage the cartridge from its links and push each one forward to the head of the shaft. At the head of the shaft is a feed spindle which collects delinked ammunition and presents it, one cartridge at a time, into the firing mechanism of the gun. While a respectable system, if the delinker shaft is damaged in any way, the whole shaft needs to be replaced. Constructing a multi-part delinker system avoids this possibility as only a component of the shaft would need replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of delinker, this invention provides a firearm delinker with improved interfacing components which are replaceable with respect to each other. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved firearm bolt that is backwards compatible with existing M-134 systems, has easily replaceable component parts and yet is even more sturdy and reliable than the prior art delinker systems.

To accomplish these objectives, the firearm delinker system comprises a delinker shaft with a keyed rear surface and a sleeve with a plurality of surface guide tracks and a correspondingly keyed inner surface. The sleeve then slips over the delinker shaft and provides guide tracks of delinking push rods. A drive gear slips over the sleeve, leaving space for the push rods to pass underneath, and may also be keyed to the exterior of the sleeve. The delinker shaft should also feature a feed sprocket and a feed spindle at its head for interface with the rest of the firearm. It should be noted that feed sprocket and feed spindle may also be discrete parts, interfacing with a keyed relationship to the rest of the shaft.

The more notable features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in many ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a rotary firearm.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the rotary firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotor and a delinker shaft for the rotary firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a delinker shaft for the rotary firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the delinker shaft of FIG. 4, with the drive gear removed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the delinker shaft of FIG. 5, taken along line VI-VI.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a push rod of the delinker shaft of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the delinker shaft.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the delinker shaft of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the shaft sleeve of the delinker shaft of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the delinker rod and guide rods of the delinker shaft of FIG. 8

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the firearm bolt is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a representational M134 is depicted. As can be seen, this firearm embodiment features six barrels (10) mounted on a rotor (20) driven in turn by a motor (30). Belt-linked ammunition is fed into the weapon by first entering the delinker/feeding system (50), which strips individual rounds of ammunition from connecting links and advances individual rounds of ammunition onto one of six rotating slots (22) in the rotor, each corresponding to one barrel 10 and each having one bolt (40). As the rotor (20) rotates, a cam head on each bolt 40 interfaces with a helical track (12) in the casing (14), which causes the bolts to advance and retract relative to the casing (14). Ammunition is then advanced along the cam track (12) with the bolt (40) until it is chambered in a barrel (10) and ignited. After which the bolt (40) retracts, releasing the spent ammunition casing for ejection.

The delinker (50) (FIG. 3) centers on its own delinker shaft (52) within its casing (not shown). The delinker shaft (52) supports a feed spindle (54) at its head, a two-piece feed sprocket (56) towards its middle, and a guide sleeve (58) at its rear. A drive gear (60) is fitted over the guide sleeve (58) towards the middle of the delinker shaft. This drive gear (60) interfaces with the delinker gear (28) of rotor (20) and thereby keeps the delinker in time with said rotor (20). Drive gear (60) may be removable from the guide sleeve (58) and keyed (59) to interface therewith. A preference given to providing bosses (59) on the exterior surface of the guide sleeve (58) to provide the interface between the drive gear (60) and guide sleeve (58). Preferred placement of said bosses (59) is towards the front of each ridge that defines the guides trough (or “guides”) (62).

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide sleeve (58) provides guides (62) for push rods (64). Each push rod (64) is biased forward in turn, through the drive gear (60) and against a cartridge of ammunition 15. The push rods (64) bias each cartridge 15 forward while the feed sprocket (56) and casing maintains the next cartridge 15 in the same general location. This not only strips the cartridge from the belt link 17 that holds it to the next cartridge, but also advances the cartridge towards the feed spindle (54) so that it may then be fed into the firing system. Push rods have historically been square, but the preferred embodiment has each rod (64) keyed to the guide (62) in a manner to counter centrifugal forces imparted on the rods (64) by the rapid spinning of the shaft (52). The easiest method to do so being forming each rod as a trapezoid (FIG. 5), with a broader side positioned towards the axis of rotation and making the guides (62) keyed to hold the trapezoidal push rods (64) in place, specifically having a broader base side closest to the axis of rotation of the delinker shaft and a narrower opening along the circumference of the guide sleeve.

The interior surface of the guide sleeve (58) is ideally keyed to the delinker shaft (52) by imparting some camming surface on the shaft (52) and a corresponding surface on the guide sleeve (58). For simplicity, this is shown by imparting a hexagonal shape to both surfaces. It should be realized that any shape with enough camming interaction will suffice. Preference is given to regular polygons, such as the depicted hexagon, due to the even distribution of camming forces resulting from the regular shape. A regular and symmetrical shape also makes assembly easier in high-stress situations when a delinker component could fail. Any non-circular shape would, however, be usable. The drive gear (60) may also be of one piece with the guide sleeve (58), as is shown in FIG. 6. Two separate pieces is preferred as it allows for replacement of one discrete part (either the guide sleeve (58) or the drive gear (60)) should it break and not the entire guide sleeve (58). Following this logic, individual parts of the delinker shaft (52), namely the feed spindle (54) and feed sprocket (56), may also be made as separate pieces. It should also be noted that the guide sleeve (58) may also interface with part of the feed sprocket (56) as it naturally abuts the structure when the delinker (50) is assembled.

Feed spindle (54) is located at the head of the delinker shaft (52) and collects cartridges for feeding into the firing system. The feed spindle (54) features a plurality of feed grooves (in this case 6 to match the number of barrels) into which each cartridge is pushed by the push rods (64). As the delinker shaft (52) rotates, the cartridges interface with a hook structure in the casing (not shown) which draws each cartridge into the feed system. The feed spindle (54) may feature weight reducing cuts between the feed grooves.

As shown in FIG. 7, the push rods (64) each have a cam head (66) like that of the bolts (40) on the main rotor (20) and are guided by a helical cam track in the casing of the delinker in similar fashion. In each case, a bearing (68) is mounted on a post (67) at the hind end of push rod (64) and secured with a grommet (69). This allows for free rotation of the bearing (68) as the delinker shaft (52) rotates and forces the bearing to move within the helical track, thereby moving the push rods (64) forward and backwards.

In an alternate embodiment (150), shown in FIGS. 8-11, guide sleeve (158) may accommodate guide rods (170) to either side of the push rods (164) in each guide (162). Each guide rod (170) may be made of hardened stainless steel and provides a lower friction surface on which the push rods (164) may glide. Divots on the sides of each push rod (164) and guide (162) accommodate these guide rods (170) and allow the guide rods (170) to act as individual bosses which cam the push rods (164) in position against any centrifugal forces from the rotating delinker shaft (152). While this does increase the number of pieces for which a user would need to account, the simplicity of the shapes coupled with the lower friction of the arrangement may provide a benefit above the inconvenience of having two additional pieces in a maintenance setting. The general shape of the push rods (164) may or may not continue to mimic the trapezoidal shape previously described as the guide rod interaction is enough to cam the push rods (164) in place. However, it may be beneficial to still have a, mostly, trapezoidal shape as well as the guide rods (170).

In the preferred embodiment, the delinker shaft should be constructed of durable materials, such as metals, as these can withstand the heat of a rapid firing system, as well as from the explosions of each cartridge. Hardened steel would be an ideal choice for most of the components. However, as sufficiently durable materials are later discovered and developed, any such material may be used.

It should be noted that firearm bolts are analogous structures to push rods, especially in the context of rotary firearms. Both are elongate structures designed to move ammunition cartridges through a firearm. In the case of a rotary firearm, both utilize a cam head to move along a helical path along a rotary axis of a shaft. As such, one could consider a firearm bolt to be a slightly more specialized push rod—one with a firing pin contained within and a triggering mechanism for the firing pin. Therefore, the camming strategies discussed herein could also be applied to a firearm bolt, especially in a rotary firearm and the term “push rod” should be read to include a bolt in a rotary firearm.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is a part used in a firearm and is capable of being used and made in industry. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A delinking apparatus for linked ammunition, the apparatus comprising: a delinker shaft having a feed spindle on one end and a feed sprocket proximate a middle of the delinker shaft; a guide sleeve on an end of the delinker shaft opposite the feed spindle, the guide sleeve being removable from the delinker shaft and further comprising a plurality of guide troughs; a drive gear residing on the guide sleeve; a plurality of push rods, one residing in each guide trough and interfacing with the guide sleeve in a manner to allow longitudinal motion along an axis of the delinker shaft such that each push rod may extend through the drive gear.
 2. The delinking apparatus of claim 1, the push rods being keyed against centrifugal forces within the guide troughs.
 3. The delinking apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of guide rods, at least one for each push rod, the guide rods and push rods interacting to cam the push rods within the guide troughs.
 4. The delinking apparatus of claim 3, the plurality of guide rods numbering two for each push rod and each guide rod is mounted upon a side of one push rod, interfacing with said side of each one push rod and a wall of one guide trough.
 5. The delinking apparatus of claim 2, each push rod having a trapezoidal shape, with a longer side closer to the axis of the delinker shaft and the guide troughs having a corresponding shape being wider at a point closest to the axis of the delinker shaft than at the circumference of the guide sleeve.
 6. A delinking apparatus for linked ammunition, the apparatus comprising: a delinker shaft having a feed spindle on one end and a feed sprocket proximate a middle of the delinker shaft; a guide sleeve on an end of the delinker shaft opposite the feed spindle, the guide sleeve further comprising a plurality of guide troughs; a drive gear residing on the guide sleeve; a plurality of push rods, one residing in each guide trough and interfacing with the guide sleeve in a manner to allow longitudinal motion along an axis of the delinker shaft such that each push rod may extend through the drive gear the push rods being keyed against centrifugal forces within the guide troughs
 7. The delinking apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of guide rods, at least one for each push rod, the guide rods and push rods interacting to cam the push rods within the guide troughs.
 8. The delinking apparatus of claim 7, the plurality of guide rods numbering two for each push rod and each guide rod is mounted upon a side of one push rod, interfacing with said side of each one push rod and a wall of one guide trough.
 9. The delinking apparatus of claim 6, each push rod having a trapezoidal shape, with a longer side closer to the axis of the delinker shaft and the guide troughs having a corresponding shape being wider at a point closest to the axis of the delinker shaft than at the circumference of the guide sleeve.
 10. A push rod in a rotary firearm, said rotary firearm comprising a rotating shaft defining an axis of rotation with a plurality of guide troughs and residing within a casing having a helical cam track on its interior surface; the push rod comprising: an elongate body which fits within one of the plurality of guide troughs, being keyed against centrifugal forces within the one of the plurality of guide troughs; and a cam head at a far end of the elongate body, said head interacting with the helical cam track.
 11. The push rod of claim 10, further comprising at least one guide rod, the at least one guide rod and the push rod interacting to cam the push rod within the guide trough.
 12. The push rod of claim 11, the at least one guide rod numbering two, with each guide rod mounted upon a side of one push rod, interfacing with said side of the push rod and a wall of one guide trough.
 13. The push rod of claim 10 having a trapezoidal shape, with a longer side closer to the axis of rotation and the guide troughs having a corresponding shape being wider at a point closest to the axis of rotation than at the circumference of the rotating shaft. 